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Direct Current – Power flOws in megawatt-scale Energy gRids

Objective

The current electric energy distribution grid—based mainly on alternating current (AC)—has served
us for over a century. Transporting energy generated at large power stations over long distances to a distributed network of consumers. It is starting to show its shortcomings due to a rise in local
generation with renewable energy sources and the essentially direct current (DC) nature of many
modern electric loads.
Modern grids need to deal with two-way energy flows, local intermittent generation from
renewables and local energy storage in stationary batteries. Medium voltage distribution microgrids
using DC instead of AC hold the promise to address the shortcomings of the AC main grid.
There are several initiatives in low voltage secondary distribution grids, and DC-POWER is expanding
their concepts into the medium voltage range. We propose the D3Bus, a bipolar DC bus operating at ±1.5 kV. Compared to standard 3-phase 400V AC distribution the D3Bus can reduce distribution
energy losses by over 90%, reduce downtime, equipment cost, and space requirements while
increasing sustainability.
DC-POWER demonstrates, tests and validates the D3 Bus concept in two operational pilots: One
powering an industrial-scale hydrogen electrolyser stack at 2 MW power, and one powering a new
data centre with up to 500 kW installed IT power. Both pilots include sizeable solar PV arrays (200
kW), while the data centre also includes a directly coupled DC UPS solution.
In order to realise these pilots, DC-POWER develops several DC-DC converters, an AC active
frontend, as well as system protection components and a power/energy management system.
The D3Bus is intended as a first stepping-stone towards standardization of MVDC distribution
microgrids. It is such industry-wide standards that will enable and accelerate the adaptation of the electricity distribution system towards the energy demands of the future and net zero.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-01

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Coordinator

COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 3 274 664,93
Address
RUE LEBLANC 25
75015 PARIS 15
France

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 3 274 664,93

Participants (10)

Partners (1)

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